Protector for eave troughs



June 30, 1942. w. A. CISAR ETAL PROTECTOR FOR EAVE TROUGHS Filed Aug. 4, 1940 Patented June 38, 1942 UNlTED STAT QFFICE PROTECTOR FOR EAVE TROUGHS Application August 4,1940, Serial No. 351,399

(or. 108L 30) 1 Claim.

This invention relates to improvements in eave trough protectors.

It is an object of our invention to provide an eave trough protector which may be readily applied to a standard flanged form of eave trough, providing a self-sustaining substantially rigid screen or protector.

A further object is to provide a protector of the character stated which may be readily applied to existing eave troughs without the necessity for special attachments or fasteners.

A still further object is to provide for the adjustment of such a protector whereby the same may be properly positioned in relation to the eave and eave trough.

Additional objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view, partly in section, showing an embodiment of our invention applied to an eave trough;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view thereof; and

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing a modified form of the protector.

Referring to the drawing, 2 designates a portion of the side or frame of a house or building having a sloping roof 3 composed of shingles or the like, said roof overhanging the wall 2 and forming an eave therewith.

Positioned immediately below the eave is an eave trough of standard form, generally designated 4, said trough including an inner wall 5 disposed against the building wall or frame 2, a bottom 6 and an outer sloping wall I terminating in an inwardly projecting flange 9, said flange extending longitudinally of the trough. The eave trough 4 is attached to the wall 2 by hangers II, said hangers being of any suitable design. For example, the hangers illustrated include spacing sleeves I2 extending transversely throughout the uppermost portion of the eaves trough and receiving nails or spikes I3 extending from the outer edge portion of the trough through said sleeve, through the rear wall 5 of the trough and into the wall or frame 2. Said hangers II are preferably spaced below the flange 9 of the trough for receiving a portion of the protector as hereinafter described.

In the form of Figs. 1 and 2, we provide a protector I4 covering the upper open portion of the trough 4, said protector being formed of substantially rigid sheet metal perforated in any suitable pattern or design to provide a plurality of drainage openings I5 therethrough.

For the purpose of mounting and retaining the protector I4 in the desired position, its longitudinal edge portions are preferably bent to support the protector and to facilitate the application of the same to or the removal from the eave trough.

Thus, the outer longitudinal edge portion I6 of the protector is bent upwardly, and the rear inner longitudinal edge portion I'I thereof is bent downwardly, as shown, said inner edge portion being so proportioned as to the height thereof to impart the proper height and transverse inclination to the main body of the protector.

The edge portions I6 and H are adapted to engage the trough supports II, the outer edge portion I6 being readily insertable between said supports and the trough flange 9 when positioning the protector, whereupon the inner downturned edge I! may be lowered into supporting engagement with said supports II. In this connection, the overall transverse dimension or width of the protector is preferably slightly less than the distance from the inner wall 5 of the trough to the outer edge thereof, thereby facilitating positioning the protector in said trough.

In this manner, it will be seen that the protector will adequately cover and protect the eave trough when positioned therein, preventing the entrance of leaves or other foreign matter to the trough and permitting rain water flowing downwardly from the roof to enter the trough through the perforations or openings I5 in said protector. In the event that it is desired to vary the height and transverse inclination of the protector with relation to the eave and to the eave trough, the inner edge portion I'I thereof may be varied in height, as indicated by the dotted line showing of Fig. 2.

Fig. 3 illustrates a modification wherein the protector I4 is formed of reticulated metal such as that known to the trade as expanded metal, including a metal mesh having a plurality of openings I5 formed therein. Such expanded metal is relatively heavy and rigid, and is thereby capable of retaining its proper relation to the eave and eave trough in the manner above described. The outer longitudinal terminal portion of the protector I4 is bent upwardly to provide a supporting portion I6 as before, and the inner longitudinal terminal portion H is bent downwardly as hereinbefore described, the spaced elements of the expanded metal engaging the trough supports I I as illustrated.

Sufficient clearance or play is provided between the flange 9 of the trough and the supports II to permit the ready insertion of the protector edge portion I6 therebetween, and due to the disposition of said portion l 6 at a lever beneath that of the flange 9, any water which may traverse the protector will be directed into the trough without escaping over the edge thereof.

Various changes and modifications are contemplated within the scope of the following claim.

We claim:

The combination with an eave trough having an inwardly projecting flange along the outer free edge thereof and an inner wall disposed beneath the cave, of trough supports extending transversely through the trough and beneath said outer flange, and a protector of substantially rigid metal having openings therethrough, the protector extending longitudinally of the trough and freely supported therein by the trough supports, said protector having its outer longitudinal edge portion bent upwardly and its inner longitudinal edge bent downwardly, both of said edge portions resting upon the trough support, said protector being downwardly inclined outwardly from said inner edge to a level beneath that of the trough flange, the overall transverse dimension of the protector being slightly less than the distance from the inner wall of the trough to the outer edge thereof and the outer edge portion of the protector fitting loosely beneath the trough flange to facilitate positioning the protector in the trough, the depth of the inner bent edge of the protector being variable to vary the inner height of the protector and the inclination thereof.

WILLIAM A. CISAR.

WILLIAM K. SANDMEYER. 

